Award details

Dorthy Hodgkin/GSK Studentship Project:15q11-q13, imprinted genes and mental illness

ReferenceBBS/E/B/0000N148
Principal Investigator / Supervisor Dr Lawrence Wilkinson
Co-Investigators /
Co-Supervisors
Institution Babraham Institute
DepartmentBabraham Institute Department
Funding typeResearch
Value (£) 30,629
StatusCompleted
TypeInstitute Project
Start date 01/04/2005
End date 31/03/2008
Duration36 months

Abstract

This studentship, sponsored by a Dorothy Hodgkin Postgraduate Award in collaboration with GSK plc, will investigate the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms underlying the presence of affective and psychotic symptoms in individuals suffering from Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), a condition arising from abnormal expression of imprinted genes located in a small region of human chromosome 15 (15q11-q13). This will be done by analyzing blood samples from patients and by exploiting relevant genetic mouse models of the condition. In addition to shedding light on the genetic causes of mental problems in PWS we hope that our experiments will be of more general importance in unearthing novel genes that may be of significance to several common psychiatric disorders, including autism, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. At the moment, therapies for these conditions are sub-optimal, and new therapeutic avenues are urgently required.

Summary

unavailable
Committee Closed Committee - Animal Sciences (AS)
Research TopicsX – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research PriorityX – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative X - not in an Initiative
Funding SchemeX – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme
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